Comment by Gerri on October 30, 2010 at 7:30pm

Anna, you're an inspiration. Congratulations on your accomplishments!

Comment by Annalovely0ne on October 30, 2010 at 8:13pm

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement: I didn't really think that anyone would notice that I'd written in my blog. My attitude towards the weight gain and the "illnesses" that tried to knock me down "for the count" is this: Since I can't turn back the hands of time, I'm using every minute of the time that I have left to turn my health back to a better place, hopefully to prolong the best life that's left. :o)

Comment by Gerri on October 30, 2010 at 8:35pm

You're most welcome. Hugs for all your hard work & can-do attitude. You look fabulous, healthy & glowing.

Don't be discouraged from further blogs if you don't get a lot of responses. New blogs are added frequently & the older ones get pushed off the main page.

Comment by Bug74 on October 30, 2010 at 9:19pm

I saw this quote the other day and loved it! "Courage is not always a roar. Courage is often that small voice at the end of the day that says, "I'll try again tomorrow."

You are doing great. I'm so happy for you. Take a victory lap!

Comment by lotsofshots on October 31, 2010 at 8:35am

Congratulations on everything that you have done for yourself. You are sure an inspiration to me. I am a veteran too and also disabled. I know you still remember all that exercise that we used to do every day, thinking back sometimes makes me yearn for that physical fitness that I used to have. I admire you a lot for keeping up all the hard work and am happy for your good results. You are taking on your challenges and being rewarded with success. Happy for you that your hard work is paying off.

Comment by Jason Sandeman on October 31, 2010 at 8:41am

Congrats on your progress so far. Those are impressive numbers! I am awed by your skills, even with arthritis, AND fibromyalgia! I get a lot of inspiration from you, please keep up the great work!

Comment by Marie B on October 31, 2010 at 9:08am

That's terrific! I was wondering what's the aquatic therapy like? We have another member here with painful joints and he's starting aquatic therapy this week.

Comment by Annalovely0ne on November 1, 2010 at 3:21pm

OK, "get the green out! -- it doesn't "match anything! lol What I'd tell docs at the VA in/around 2001 is that I felt like "the Tin Man of the Wizard of Oz", 'cause I did - I was probably "rusting in place"! lol Why? Because I wasn't "moving" myself around, just about "vegetating! lol It took another 5 yrs of ill health before I got in the pool (aquatic therapy), determined to feel better, knowing that "moving" would do just that, and not just my jaws from masticating. lol I "really, really, really" wanted to do better, no matter the pain, and having spent 22 1/2 yrs on active duty (May 1976-Dec 1998), I already knew what I needed to do. Sometimes, sickness can "hamper" us and make us not want to even go outside, until we have to go. A "portion" of good health is precious enough to try to regain, and to live long enough to make my children pay me back is gonna be worth it. lol :o)

Comment by Annalovely0ne on November 1, 2010 at 3:37pm

Marie B: Aquatic therapy is soooooo good! The water is "no so hot" that a person can't exercise in it, and the exercise classes that I attended were governed by the Arthritis Foundation, so, it's "gentle" on the joints. After I'd built myself up enough and gotten a couple of months under my belt, I "made myself" do more; sometimes, I'd hurt myself, but, I wouldn't stop. As for execution, I wouldn't just raise my arms in the air, "flapping them around" like I didn't care, nor would I just move just enough to make it "look like" I was exercising. What would've been the point? Who would I have been impressing? Why spend money to attend a class to better myself and act that way? It served no purpose, and I saw adults behave just that way: I could've been home in bed asleep, and my money in my pocket. Military service drilled in me WOULD NOT allow me to act that way. A lukewarm shower afterwards made it all worth the effort. I'd be so tired (when I first started), that I could hardly walk without "creaking" and hurting! lol I'd have to sleep it off a couple of hours. :o) Needed a day to recover, too. Next day, I'd be right back in the pool.:o) THEN, I added "exercise in the chairs", which was the same exercises done in the pool, plus some more! :o) I spent my mornings in that facility -- my second home, after the church. :o)

Comment by Annalovely0ne on January 8, 2011 at 2:23pm

The goal that I set in April 2010, was to lose 20-25 lbs, so that I could justify getting a new wardrobe to give myself a new look. Why? Because I'd be turning another year older (62), on January 7th. :o) Well, God blessed me to turn 62! Days beforehand, I went shopping for activewear (gym clothes), which, you know, entails trying on clothes for the "fit". Not only did I buy two sets of gym clothes, I tried on a "suit" or two, and found that I now wear a size smaller than I did at the beginning of Fall '10! Not that it would mean anything to anyone except me, I no longer wear an 18W (women's), I wear a size 16W! Yay, Anna! :o) The 18W, I wore towards late summer; I have many clothes to be altered, and it is quite expensive to get done. In the meantime, I spent $700 on several "smaller" tops/blouses/shirts; 2 suits, and two sets of gym clothes! Can't go overboard with it, 'cause I'm still a work in progress. :o) The weight loss was 20 lbs, not quite what I set out to do. Then, my joints "got me", and I've been riddled with low spine pain, knee pain, and I suppose that it's just "wear and tear" on my cartilage & joints. Not to worry: Saw a neurosurgeon who sent me to a physical therapist (Tuesday), who'll get me back on track this coming Tuesday, with the "right" kind of exercise program! Yay! Until then, I'm still "coolin' it. :o)

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